Guides + Instructors

  • Owner, General Manager, IFMGA Guide

    Wilderness Medicine InstituteAmerican Mountain Guide AssociationInternational Federation of Mountain Guides AssociationTod Bloxham was born and raised in Washington State, spending his adolescence exploring the mountains of the North Cascades. By the age of 18 Tod had logged well over 500 miles of North Cascades trails and backcountry and had hiked 2,700 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail, becoming the youngest solo through-hiker to travel the entire PCT from Canada to Mexico. As a climber, Tod has been climbing and skiing the backcountry since 1991, logging hundreds of ascents of rock, ice and ski routes in North America and abroad.

    Life in the outdoors and work must coexist for Tod; professionally, Tod has been guiding since 1999, is an IFMGA Mountain Guide, and as the owner of Edgeworks Climbing, Tod is either helping his beautiful wife show the wonders of the outdoors to their two girls, sharpening his skills on the alpine and trad climbs he pursues, or helping people discover that the outdoors and climbing can be a lifelong pursuit that is inspiring and invigorating.

    Certifications / Qualifications:
    IFMGA / AMGA Licensed Mountain Guide
    AMGA Alpine Guide
    AMGA Ski Guide
    AMGA Rock Guide
    AMGA Rock Instructor
    Wilderness First Responder
    AIARE L1/L2 Avalanche Course Leader
    AIARE L3 Avalanche Forecaster

  • Sam Bujnarowski

    Single Pitch
    Single Pitch Instructor

    Wilderness First ResponderAmerican Mountain Guide Association Sam’s an east coast rock climber turned Northwest all-arounder. His first climbing memory is going to the gym where his sister worked at the age of ten. That experience stuck--from then Sam has relentlessly pursued climbing. At first it was spending time in the gym or trying to practice skills from an old copy of Freedom of the Hills, but it gave way to bouldering outdoors, then roped climbing, trad climbing, and the alpine. Before he knew it, Sam was trying every form of mountain sport he could.

    Being out in the mountains is a main part of Sam’s life, both recreationally and professionally. Whether chasing alpine peaks, trying to stay warm on ice routes, backcountry touring, or just exploring a new area, he shares a passion for it all. And it was the satisfaction from sharing his passion and knowledge that led Sam towards guiding.

    Nowadays, Sam enjoys helping others realize their potential in the mountains as much as he enjoys being there himself. Getting to see people find joy outside is what keeps him going. When he isn’t guiding, Sam’s still out in the mountains looking for his next adventure.

    Certifications / Qualifications:
    AMGA Single Pitch Instructor
    Wilderness First Responder

  • Director of Climbing School + Guiding, IFMGA Guide

    Wilderness Medicine InstituteAmerican Mountain Guide AssociationInternational Federation of Mountain Guides AssociationKurt grew up in Oregon, started backpacking at age four, and began climbing when he was eight. Since then, he has climbed, skied, and guided throughout the Cascades, Alaska Range, Sierra, Rockies, and the mountains of New England, Canada, Norway, and the Alps. He loves exploring and putting up new routes the Cascades in all seasons.

    Kurt is an IFMGA Mountain Guide and has been guiding since 2003. He is an instructor for the American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA) and has served on their Board of Directors. Kurt has also worked as a climbing ranger at Mount Rainier National Park. He founded the Washington Anchor Replacement Project, which replaces aging climbing hardware across the state. Kurt is the author of the climbing guidebook Snoqualmie Rock and a co-author of Backcountry Skiing: Washington.

    Kurt loves helping people along their own paths in their outdoor adventures. Whether it’s sharing key beta, technical skills, or teaching his children how to ski, he loves seeing people expand their skill sets, gain self-confidence, and have fun in the outdoors.

    Certifications / Qualifications:
    IFMGA / AMGA Licensed Mountain Guide
    AMGA Alpine Guide
    AMGA Ski Guide
    AMGA Rock Guide
    Wilderness EMT
    AIARE L1/L2 Avalanche Course Leader
    AIARE L3 Avalanche Forecaster
    Leave No Trace Master Educator

  • Jayden Johnston

    Single Pitch
    Climbing School Manager, Apprentice Rock Guide

    Wilderness Medicine InstituteAmerican Mountain Guide Association Jayden grew up in southern California before finding the Pacific Northwest and falling in love with the mountains. She started instructing for Edgeworks in 2016 and guiding in 2018. Her passion for guiding comes from the joy of seeing people push out of their comfort zone and explore.

    Jayden is an AMGA Single Pitch Instructor and an Apprentice Rock Guide. When she is not guiding, climbing, or surfing, she works at Edgeworks Tacoma as the Climbing School Manager. Stop by the gym and say hi!

    Certifications / Qualifications:
    AMGA Apprentice Rock Guide
    AMGA Single Pitch Instructor
    Wilderness First Responder

  • Ashten Linkhart

    Single Pitch
    Single Pitch Instructor

    Wilderness First AidAmerican Mountain Guide Association Ashten grew up snowboarding, fishing and camping in Northern Michigan. He moved to Tacoma in 2011 where he began hiking in the Cascades with a camera in hand as a way to escape the city. After visiting Camp Muir in 2014 he started doing more serious hikes and found himself on the top of Mount Baker and Mount Rainier shortly thereafter. He joined Edgeworks to learn the skills necessary to climb more technical peaks. Before working in the outdoor industry, Ashten worked in the aerospace industry for 8 1/2 years.

    Ashten enjoys trad climbing, photography, snowboarding and riding his bike. In 2020, he did a solo and unsupported bike ride around Mt. Rainier National Park in 11 hours. Spending his winters snowboarding on Mt. Hood, Ashten spends the rest of the year crack climbing and trying to get on top of Washington's alpine classics.

    Find his photography portfolio here www.ashtenlinkhart.com

    Certifications / Qualifications:
    AMGA Single Pitch Instructor
    AIARE Level I
    Wilderness First Aid

  • Craig Muderlak

    Rock Guide
    Assistant Alpine Guide

    Wilderness Medicine InstituteAmerican Mountain Guide AssociationAmerican Mountain Guide AssociationCraig has worked in the outdoor industry for over 20 years. Beginning as a National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) instructor where he accrued over 100 weeks in the field, Craig is passionate about helping others foster deep and meaningful connections to wilderness. From a 40 day canoe expedition in Australia to climbing unnamed peaks in Alaska, Craig's penchant for adventure has taken him to some unique places. He is a recipient of the American Alpine Club, Copp-Dash Inspire Award and the Gore-tex Shipton-Tilman grant for his expedition to the remote Neacola Range of Alaska where he established multiple first-ascents, traveling on handmade wooden skis and pack-rafting 70 miles to the ocean.

    Throughout his guiding career, Craig has continued to merge his artistic and outdoor passions. In 2017, Craig assisted a paraplegic climber ascend El Capitan, and produced an award winning film telling the story. Craig is also a proud father, runs a small art business (www.muderlakart.com) and regularly carries art supplies into the mountains.

    Certifications / Qualifications:
    AMGA Single Pitch Instructor
    AMGA Rock Guide
    AMGA Apprentice Rock Guide
    Wilderness First Responder
    AIARE Avalanche Course Instructor

  • IFMGA Guide

    Wilderness Medicine InstituteAmerican Mountain Guide AssociationInternational Federation of Mountain Guides AssociationZack grew up in the middle east and fell in love with the outdoors while exploring the harsh Judea Desert landscapes as a teenager. With well over a decade of Outdoor Education and Guiding, Zack is now proud to call North Bend, WA his home. Zack has a deep passion for education and helping people realize their full potential in the mountains and at the crags.
    When he's not out working in the mountains, he is usually out climbing, skiing or riding bikes for fun.

    Certifications / Qualifications:
    IFMGA / AMGA Licensed Mountain Guide
    AIARE Course Leader
    Wilderness First Responder

  • Lyra Pierotti

    Rock Guide
    Apprentice Ski Guide Wilderness Medicine InstituteAmerican Mountain Guide Association National Strength and Conditioning Association

    Lyra enjoyed her first view of the mountains on long hikes in the Sierra Nevada, perched atop the shoulders of the tuba player from the Tahoe Summer Music Festival—back when she was still lighter than a tuba. In college, a year studying geology in the French Alps is what steered her toward a career in mountain guiding. Lyra has guided expeditions to several of the Seven Summits, including Denali, Mount Elbrus, and Aconcagua, as well as steep rock climbs in Yosemite Valley, alpine routes in the North Cascades, long rock climbs in the desert southwest, and athletic ascents in the High Sierra.

    In addition to guiding, Lyra has applied her skill set to industry and education. She has worked in technical field support for scientists in Antarctica, and as a member of the Joint Antarctic Search and Rescue Team. She has worked as an Adjunct Instructor for the University of Alaska, Fairbanks, teaching mountaineering skills to high school girls as part of the Inspiring Girls Expeditions program, a non-profit field science education program.

    On rest days, Lyra works as a freelance writer and Review Editor for OutdoorGearLab. When not traveling and climbing, Lyra lives on a farm on an island in the Puget Sound, her favorite home base for her annual migration patterns, where ocean sports and good food help her stay healthy and balanced.

    Certifications / Qualifications:
    AMGA Rock Guide
    AMGA Assistant Alpine Guide
    AMGA Apprentice Ski Guide
    AIARE Avalanche Course Leader
    AIARE Pro 2 Avalanche Forecaster
    Wilderness First Responder
    NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist

    Lyra Offers Personal Training!

    Personal Training - More Info
  • IFMGA Guide

    Wilderness Medicine InstituteAmerican Mountain Guide AssociationInternational Federation of Mountain Guides AssociationTino is a North­west native and calls the Cas­cade Moun­tain Range home. As an inter­na­tion­al­ly cer­ti­fied IFMGA/UIAGM Moun­tain Guide, he reg­u­lar­ly splits time between Asia, Europe, Alas­ka, South Amer­i­ca and Wash­ing­ton — climb­ing, ski­ing and lead­ing high alti­tude expe­di­tions world­wide. Tino enjoys all facets of climb­ing and is equal­ly pro­fi­cient on rock, snow, ice or skis, hav­ing accom­plished first climb­ing ascents and ski descents in the Cas­cades, Alas­ka and the Himalaya. Aside from work­ing as a Moun­tain Guide for nearly two decades, Tino works as a heli-ski guide, avalanche forecaster, and snow safety expert. Tino holds a degree in Human Phys­i­ol­o­gy. He is a Wilder­ness First Respon­der, AIARE Lev­el 3 Avalanche cer­ti­fied, and an AIARE Lev­el 1 and 2 Course Leader.

    When not guiding clients, Tino scours the globe for unclimbed peaks and unskied lines to add to an ever-growing list of first climbing ascents and ski descents. He has been the recipient of climbing grant awards including the American Alpine Club's Cutting Edge Award, the Mugs Stump Award and the Copp-Dash Inspire Award. The multiple first ascents accomplished during these Himalayan expeditions have earned entries in the American Alpine Journal, as well as mentions in the Piolet d'Or's significant climbs. In 2020, Tino won the Piolet d’Or for the first ascent of the west face of Tengi Ragi Tau.

    Certifications / Qualifications:
    IFMGA / AMGA Licensed Mountain Guide
    AMGA Alpine Guide
    AMGA Ski Guide
    AMGA Rock Guide
    Wilderness First Responder
    AIARE L1/L2 Avalanche Course Leader
    AIARE L3 Avalanche Forecaster
    Leave No Trace Trainer

  • Zack Wentz

    Single Pitch
    Apprentice Alpine Guide

    Wilderness Medicine InstituteAmerican Mountain Guide Association

    Zack started his guiding career as a climbing instructor while completing his degree at the University of British Columbia. He studied Forest Sciences with a focus on Snow and Avalanche Forecasting where he researched the effects of vegetation on snowpack instability, which he presented at the 2018 International Snow Science Workshop. He has worked as a guide and avalanche instructor across the American West, Canada, Southeastern U.S., and Sierra, while his personal adventures have taken around the world, including the French and Austrian Alps, New Zealand, and all over North America.

    Zack is pursuing full IFMGA Mountain Guide certification and aims to balance guiding with research in avalanche forecasting. Zack enjoys connecting others to the beauty and lessons that the mountains have to offer, but seeks out big splitboarding lines on big peaks in the best conditions. He also works with the Northwest Avalanche Center to provide avalanche awareness classes, and is engaged in improving public safety messaging around avalanche risk management.

    Certifications / Qualifications:
    AMGA Single Pitch Instructor
    AMGA Assistant Rock Guide
    AMGA Apprentice Alpine Guide
    AMGA Assistant Splitboard Guide
    AIARE Avalanche Instructor
    CAA ITP Level 2
    Wilderness First Responder